Diplomatically, there are reasons to believe that the US may not be too pleased with the Narendra Modi government over its insistence for a robust and stronger ties with Moscow. Thus, notwithstanding very good relation between New Delhi and Washington, there are some issues of 'flux' !
Lately the US raked up the issue of arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said Washington continues to "follow these actions closely".
It also said: "We are also aware of the Congress party’s allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts". India's MEA has reacted strongly, and these were as expected. The liquor policy scam could have certain bigger implications; and there are apprehensions in some quarters that NIA could also step in sooner than later.
It is worth mentioning that some 'protests' in and around Delhi including a few like that of farmers 'from Punjab' have left New Delhi disturbed. Some of these activities need probe. And if the government goes ahead with any such investigations, obviously the issues may not be left only to the CBI and ED.
NIA's entry will be a big development.
Meanwhile, it is also worth mentioning that the Americans have also taken up issues like CAA in recent past. On this too, no less than US envoy to India, Eric Garcetti, has been left leaking the wounds. His remarks "we have principles" were well countered by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar -- who said "We also have principles" and pointed out the Modi government would like to stand by those who were left in the enemy nations Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in 1947.
Notably, Dr Jaishankar also asked a question that might have gone 'deep' :: - if the US understood India’s 'history' and do they know something called Partition is a reality.
"I am not questioning the imperfections or otherwise of their democracy or their principles or lack of it. I am questioning their understanding of our history. If you hear comments from many parts of the world, it is as if the Partition of India never happened, there were no consequential problems which the CAA is supposed to address," Dr Jaishankar said at the 'India Today'conclave.
The Minister also said, the Indian government has principles too. “So, if you take a problem and remove all the historical context from it, sanitise it and make it into a political correctness argument, and say, ‘I have principles and don’t you have principles’, I have principles too, and one of them is obligation to people who were let down at the time of Partition,” he added.
Some remarks came from US envoy during Manipur violence also and the then MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi also played it down and had said: “I am not sure foreign diplomats would usually comment on internal developments in India.”
Now how does MEA or the 'foreign policy engine room' pursue some crucial strategies vis-a-vis its American policy remains to be seen. The American statement that it wants to keep a track on what India does with CAA, Kejriwal and even Congress bank accounts freezing -- will be quite significant.
One 'real harsh' statement or reaction from India could actually embarrass Washington to the core. That is -- if US wants to peen inside Indian internal matters; 'New Delhi can also do so ...New Delhi can even keep a track on how US handles Donald Trump on multiple matters'.
There are many aspects to NIA's involvement and that can embarrass several global players. Recently, Indian diplomatic mantle was proved when it came to handling hyperbole styles of Canada. In fact, some dossier shared about an individual might have forced Canadian leadership see reason.
Dr Jaishankar also used one word 'Ludicrous' for China and it was related to Beijing's claim over Arunachal Pradesh.
Look how Jaishankar snubbed China.
“This is not a new issue. I mean China has laid claim, it has expanded its claim. The claims are ludicrous to begin with and remain ludicrous today,” Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to Singapore, said while responding to a question on the Arunachal issue after delivering a lecture at the prestigious NUS Institute of South Asian Studies. This was a bit tough word used.
The word Ludicrous means 'out of place as to be amusing'. One does now know any Indian foreign minister used such a strong word. Dr Jaishankar is a career diplomat and so one can say the word was 'measured' well before putting it across. The message from New Delhi is --- 'patience is running out ....you better'.
Possibly, India has to tweak some statements soon to give a big picture measure to Uncle Sam.
In Feb 2015, Modi's first Finance Minister Late Arun Jaitley had said -- "The facts relating to this dubious funding of AAP are self-evident...
"It is obvious that these companies have been used as pass-through companies. Black money passed through hawala.... It is obvious that this is round tripping of black money into the political system," he said.
"The AAP has to answer: are these only conduit companies being used to convert black money into white?" he had said.
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